The Tigers started the game looking for a fourth straight win but finished it by losing the second automatic promotion spot to Watford.

Their fate was sealed by a devastating start from a Bolton team who have consistently disappointed this season.

Fans at the Reebok have had little to cheer, as they have watched their talented squad turn in half-hearted performances – but they clicked against Hull.

There was little more than 90 seconds on the clock when Chung-Yong Lee swapped passes with Mark Davies and took his time before spotting Darren Pratley’s burst into the box and aiming a low cross for the midfielder to head in.

Hull were still in shock when Bolton cut them open again. David Ngog tumbled under a challenge in the box and Mark Davies pounced on the loose ball.

Two minutes later keeper David Stockdale was beaten again as Dawson got his head to Jay Spearing’s corner and the ball crossed the line before Hull scrambled it away.

Hull had little to offer in the opening half but after the break Bolton began to concede free-kicks, allowing Robbie Brady to ping the ball into the box.

Alex Bruce and Jay Simpson both nodded wide when well placed but Bolton finally paid the penalty when Brady’s free-kick smacked into the wall and left Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan flat-footed as the ball bounced in.

Bolton went back on the offensive though and soon restored their three-goal advantage.

Dawson had just seen a cheeky flick hit Stockdale and the post when a Marcus Alonso shot came his way. He tried the same trick and this time was rewarded as his inventive effort slipped in for the killer fourth.

Bolton boss Dougie Freedman said: “That has been coming. We have played some fantastic football over the last few weeks.

“We tweaked it a bit today with Mark Davies playing behind the strikers and the players responded well against a very good team.

“It has been hard for these players getting over the relegation. I can say nothing is impossible when it comes to trying to get to the play-offs.”

Hull boss Steve Bruce said: “I haven’t seen a start like that. How can you explain it?

“We have been rock-solid for seven months and I don’t think I have ever been in a game when we were 3-0 down in eight minutes. It was a freak thing. It won’t happen again.

“Sometimes a kick up the backside is good for you. We just have to dust ourselves down now.”